New Metro line to link Mumbai, Navi Mumbai airports

At the board meeting of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) chaired by Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Saturday, it was decided to fast-track work for the new Metro line.

The Metro for the new route would run services from Andheri (East), where the Metro station for the Mumbai airport exists.

It will take the Ghatkopar-Mankhurd route on its way to the proposed new airport at Panvel in Navi Mumbai.

The Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar Metro, which was opened to public earlier this year, already provides connectivity between the Andheri airport and Ghatkopar.

A Metro station at Mankhurd would be built as part of the proposed Metro-II line, which will connect Dahisar in western suburbs to Mankhurd.

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) had earlier proposed the Mankhurd-Panvel Metro link to boost connectivity between the proposed airport and Mumbai.

To provide seamless connectivity between travellers of the two airports, the state government has, however, decided to integrate the routes for a new line. Sources said that the MMRDA would build the new stretch.

Meanwhile, the MMRDA board took a formal decision Saturday to shift the proposed car shed for the Metro-II line from Charkop to Mankhurd.

While the bhoomipujan for this route was carried out in 2009, the project is yet to take off due to conditions imposed by the Union Environment Ministry for the car shed at Charkop, which falls in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ).

The board also resolved to extend the Metro-II line to Dahisar.

In light of opposition from locals against an elevated Metro service along the route, a decision for an underground Metro service was also taken.

Sources further said it was decided that all proposed Metro routes would be underground rail networks.

During the meeting, MMRDA officials informed board members that the Centre’s permission had been sought for technical approval to a Metro line connecting Mumbai’s Wadala to Thane.

In its annual performance report (2013-14) that was put up for approval to the board, the MMRDA said it had decided to junk its ambitious plan to set up an e-waste disposal plant following concerns over its viability.